Question 1

Which of the following carious lesions cannot be found on a dental image and must be identified clinically?
1)Incipient
2)Moderate
3)Severe

Accepted Answer

Incipient occlusal caries cannot be seen on a dental image and must be detected clinically with an explorer.

Question 2

You suspect your patient has caries in the molar regions.Which of the following dental images should you take?

Accepted Answer

The bite-wing image is the dental image of choice for the evaluation of caries.A periapical image using the paralleling technique can also be used for evaluation of dental caries;however,day-in and day-out,most practitioners rely on bite-wing images for the evaluation of caries in posterior teeth.Although panoramic images are superior to periapical or bite-wing images for visualization of the entire head and jaws,the resolution is less than that seen with intraoral images.In fact,a panoramic image is typically supplemented with bite-wing images to create a full mouth series.The steep vertical angulation of an occlusal image largely precludes utilization for the detection of caries.

Question 3

Which type of caries occurs under an existing restoration?

Accepted Answer

Recurrent caries occurs adjacent to a pre-existing restoration.Buccal caries involves the buccal tooth surface.Rampant caries is typically seen in children with poor dietary habits or in adults with decreased salivary flow.Root surface caries involves only the roots of teeth.The cementum and dentin located just below the cervical region of the tooth are involved.

Question 4

Which of the following interproximal lesions does not involve the dentin,but is does extend more than half way through the enamel?

Accepted Answer

Moderate interproximal caries extend more than halfway through the thickness of enamel but do not involve the dentino-enamel junction (DEJ).Incipient interproximal caries extend less than halfway through the thickness of enamel.Advanced interproximal caries extend to or through the DEJ and into dentin but do not extend through the dentin more than half the distance toward the pulp.Severe interproximal caries extend through enamel,through the dentin,and more than half the distance toward the pulp.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is true of root surface caries?

Accepted Answer

Root surface caries appear as a cupped-out or crater-shaped radiolucency just below the CEJ.Root surface caries involve only the roots of teeth.No involvement of enamel occurs.Root surface caries are easily detected on exposed root surfaces.Enamel is found above the CEJ,and no involvement of enamel occurs.

Question 6

On a dental image,interproximal caries are typically seen at or just below the

Accepted Answer

On a dental image,interproximal caries are typically seen at or just below the contact point.

Question 7

In the practice of dentistry,___________ is probably the most frequent reason for taking dental images.

Accepted Answer

In the practice of dentistry,caries are probably the most frequent reason for taking dental images.

Question 8

You are viewing your patient's bite-wing images.He has an interproximal carious lesion that is almost to the pulp.What is the classification of the lesion?

Accepted Answer

A Class IV lesion is severe interproximal caries.A severe lesion involves both enamel and dentin and may appear clinically as a cavitation in the tooth.A Class I lesion is seen in enamel only.A severe lesion involves both enamel and dentin and may appear clinically as a cavitation in the tooth.A Class II lesion is moderate interproximal caries.A moderate lesion is seen in enamel only.A Class III lesion is an advanced interproximal lesion.

Question 9

A carious lesion appears _________ on a dental image.

Accepted Answer

A carious lesion appears radiolucent (dark or black)on a dental image.Demineralization and destruction of the hard tooth structures result in a loss of tooth density in the area of the lesion.Decreased density allows greater penetration of x-rays in the carious area.A radiopaque (light or white)area would be due to increased rather than decreased density.

Question 10

Identify the type of decay present that your patient has on the mesial of tooth number 4.

Accepted Answer

Advanced interproximal caries is evident on the mesial of tooth number 4.The caries extends through the DEJ and into the dentin.It does not extend more than half way to the pulp.Incipient interproximal caries extends less than halfway through the thickness of enamel.Moderate interproximal caries extends more than halfway through the thickness of enamel but does not involve the DEJ.The caries extends through the DEJ and into the dentin.It does not extend more than half way to the pulp.Severe interproximal caries extends through enamel,through the dentin,and more than half the distance to the pulp.

Question 11

A dental image is most useful for detection of _________ caries.

Accepted Answer

A dental image is most useful for detection of interproximal caries.

Question 12

____________ caries are found between two teeth.

Accepted Answer

Interproximal caries are found between two teeth.Occlusal caries involve the chewing surface of the posterior teeth.Interproximal caries are found between two teeth.Buccal caries involve the buccal tooth surface.Lingual caries involve the lingual tooth surface.

Question 13

Buccal or lingual caries appear as a _____________________ on dental images.

Accepted Answer

Caries that involve the buccal or lingual surface appear as a small,circular radiolucent area.

Question 14

Rampant caries are typically seen in children with ________ dietary habits or in adults with __________ salivary flow.

Accepted Answer

Rampant caries are typically seen in children with poor dietary habits or in adults with decreased salivary flow.

Quiz 33: Interpretation of Dental Caries

Which of the following carious lesions cannot be found on a dental image and must be identified clinically? 1) Incipient 2) Moderate 3) Severe